[ 362 ] 
MEDICAL 
[Nov. 1, 
REPORT. | 
i 
HE public mind has of late years been 
much attracted towards the subject 
of Diseases of the Spine. The column of 
bones, to which the term Spine has been 
affixed, effects so essential a purpose in the 
architecture of the human frame, that what- 
ever causes tend to destroy its efficiency, 
whether they arise from affections of the 
pillar itself, or of its collateral supports, 
endanger the safety and well-being of the 
whole living fabric. 
ters who have made these diseases the ob- 
ject of their inquiries shows, either that 
the disorders in question have become 
much more frequent than formerly, or that 
the attention of the public, and of medical 
practitioners, has, from some cause or other, 
been invited to the more attentive con- 
sideration of them; or that the latter have 
become better informed of the causes, symp- 
toms, and modes of efficiently treating this 
class of.disorders. Be this as it may, it is 
certain that, amongst those writers who 
haye written on spinal diseases, there exists 
much discrepancy of opinion, both as to 
the causes and indications of cure in many 
eases of spinal deformity. The etiology 
offered by some, to explain the deranged 
condition of the vertebral column, has been 
declared to be, by competent judges of the 
case, impossible; and some methods of cure, 
founded upon the theories proposed, have 
‘been pronounced to be as irreconcileable 
with the anatomical structure of the parts, 
as inconsistent with fair physiological de- 
duction. Other writers, on the diseases in 
question, have assigned causes for them, 
consistent with the medical philosophy of 
the day; and have suggested modes of 
treatment in strict accordance with sound 
physiological reasoning. That the subjects 
of Curvature of the Spine are to be looked 
for amongst the young of the softer sex, 
and amidst the higher classes of society, is 
a fact that will not be denied. The female 
offspring of those whose circumstances au- 
thorize, and whose station requires, a luxu- 
rious style of living, and the refinements of 
a fashionable life, are too often the victims 
of a system of education, the details of 
which, during childhood, but principally 
~ during adolescence, exiibit a determined 
disregard to the indications of nature in 
respect of the physical perfection of the 
form, and a recklessness of the means by 
which the material organism is to acquire 
growth and development. It is not sur- 
- prising, therefore, that, while the intellec- 
tual advancement of the pupil has been 
ensured, and the progress in elegant ac- 
complishments rendered satisfactory to the 
teacher, and delightful to the parent, that 
the physical education of the scholar has 
been neglected, and her fitness for under- 
taking the active duties of life unthought-of 
and.uncared-for. A young lady, legitimately 
The number of wri-« 
educated, is taught to avoid all awkward 
Movements,—to maintain an upright car- 
riage of the person in walking, and an elegant 
position at the harp and pianoforte ; while 
_those habits and exercises, to which the play- 
fulness, restless activity, and buoyant spirits 
of childhood have so invincible a propensity, 
are proscribed; or, if not totally inter- 
dicted, are admitted with such restraints, 
and under such modifications, as materially 
to weaken their effect in unfolding and 
improving the physical powers. The wri- 
ter boldly asserts, that, with the refined 
parts of the education of girls, a certain 
degree of hoydenism must be tolerated— 
a dispensation from the rigid rules of the 
dancing and the drilling master. But shall 
the daughter of a peer—of a cabinet mi- 
nister—of a senator,—must a young lady 
born to a carriage, be seen writhing in un- 
graceful attitudes, or skipping and scam- 
pering like the girls ofa village? If health 
be an object worth pursuing, this must be 
permitted. Some one has observed, that 
the actions of young children are always 
graceful; and who can witness the gaiety 
and giddiness, the romping and rioting of 
childhood, without feelings of delight? of 
delight enhanced by the conyiction, that 
these attributes of the youthful state are at 
once the evidences of health, and the means 
by which health is to be maintained. If, 
then, Curvature of the Spine, and other 
diseases depending upon an atony of the 
physical structure, are to be prevented, let 
the energy and activity of youth be en- 
couraged ; and let the usages of schools 
and families be more accordant with the 
plans and practices of rustic life. The 
symmetry of the female figure—the per- 
fection of which has been the beau ideal 
of the poet, the study of the painter and 
the sculptor, will not be impaired by the 
addition of firmness and tone, which a 
round of natural and unforced exercises, if 
they be carried eyen to the ultra point of 
girlish frolic, tend to promote. ‘** Surely 
it is not necessary,” says the author of the 
Study of Medicine, “in order to acquire 
all the air and gracefulness of fashionable 
life, to banish from the hours of recreation 
the old national amusements of battledore 
and shuttlecock, of tennis, trap-ball, or any 
other game that calls into action the bend- 
ing as well as the extending muscles, gives 
firmness to every organ, and the glow of 
health to the entire surface.” It was as- 
serted by Burke,* that an appearance of 
JSragility was essential to female beauty ; 
and it has been asserted’ that the ap- 
pearance of helplessness. gave’ additional 
charms to the femititie” form“4but these 
notions are erronédus's’ “‘thé’*fragile and 
~ helpless 
* Essay on the Sublime and Beautiful. 
